U.S. farmers will be able to collect federal conservation payments for installing prairie strips on their land, and Iowa State University researchers helped bridge the gap between the latest science and federal policy.

Most of the time, a dynamic no-till system can take a hefty punch from Mother Nature, with roots, residue and healthier soils providing some resiliency.

As concerns about the viability of the Ogallala aquifer continue, researchers believe they have found a window of opportunity in the growth cycle of cotton to reduce watering without hurting yield in the end.

A wide range equipment options are available that till the soil at different depths and aggressiveness levels. New research from the University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University, and the Minnesota and North Dakota Corn and Soybean commodity groups show how these tools impact soil warming and drying and may ultimately affect crop yield.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks public comments on its interim final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which includes changes to the program prescribed by the 2018 Farm Bill.